8 Ways Dogs Can Help at The Horse Barn

Throughout history, dogs have played a significant role in human life. For a good reason, dogs are known as man’s best friend – their love, devotion, and loyalty are unlike any other animal. However, dogs provide more than just emotional support to their owners; they can also enhance the productivity of the horse farm and equestrian barn.

It is possible to train almost any breed of dog to assist you in the barn in several different ways. Whether it is herding horses, protecting a barn from predators, or keeping you company during long work hours. If you are considering adding a dog to your barn, here are some ways they can help you.

8 Ways A Dog can be helpful in a Barn

Here are 8 valuable things a dog can do at a horse barn to ease the burden on its owner.

1.    Herder

Among the many ways dogs can assist in a horse barn, herding is the most obvious. A herding dog is bred specifically to move animals and livestock, rounding them up and moving them safely.

As natural herders, dogs can be trained to work with large herds of horses in various ways, transporting them between pastures and guiding them into trailers. Herding dogs, particularly Border collies, are popular for horse workers due to their herding skills.

Herding dogs can move horses with quick movements and direct eye contact. The process is much easier and only requires you to move your dog and give them voice or hand commands.

2.    Reliable Companion

A dog is most commonly purchased to have a reliable companion. There is a similar reason why farmers choose to keep dogs. Undoubtedly, dogs make people happier, less stressed, and more productive. Horses also benefit from dog companionship.

Horses require each other for companionship, while dogs can do the same if no horses are around. Horses can feel more relaxed and comfortable when a dog is present. Additionally, dogs can serve as a source of entertainment for horses, providing a distraction and a source of enjoyment.

3.    Protection from Predators

Dogs also help to protect a barn from predators who may cause harm to horses. By barking, they alert potential dangers. Their senses of sight, smell, and hearing are impeccable, and they can detect a threat before you know it.

Having a dog in a barn for protection alone is worth the investment in protecting you and your horse. Additionally, a dog can alert you to intruders or criminals who may wish to steal supplies from your barn. German Shepherds or Rottweilers are an excellent choice for a security dog.

4.    Pest Controller

You do not need a chemical pest control product if you have a dog in your barn. There are terrier breeds specifically bred to chase away vermin and pests. Not only that, they can get rid of mice and rats as well. It is common for these rodents to find their way into animal feed, but the presence of a dog is sufficient to scram them away.

Also, vermin’s can contaminate your livestock feed and transmit diseases; furthermore, they can eat through produce. It is possible to train a dog to ward them off for good.

5.    Training Horses

When training horses, dogs can be very beneficial, particularly during desensitization exercises. The purpose of these exercises is to assist horses in becoming more comfortable in certain situations.

Dogs can create simulating challenging scenarios to train the horses, such as dogs barking or running around. Following training, horses learn to remain calm under pressure and respond to unforeseen circumstances.

It is also possible to use dogs to assist horses in overcoming their fear of new objects or situations. A well-trained dog can be a valuable assistant in horse training.

6.    Exercising Horses

Exercising a horse requires much time and concentration, but luckily dogs can assist. Dogs can’t help in heavy exercises, which involve a horse jumping off hoops, but they can help in running.

It is well known that dogs need exercise, and regular walks or runs around the barn can also encourage a horse to join them in the exercise and stay in shape. Trail rides can be made much more enjoyable by a dog who is comfortable around horses.

Greyhound Labrador, a cross-breed of a Labrador Retriever and a Greyhound, can help exercise horses since they run up to 40 mph and are quite athletic.

Dogs also provide a sense of security during workouts as horses are social animals, and having a dog around will make them feel less lonely.

7.    Help The Barn Staff

Dogs are also helpful in various barn tasks, such as fetching and carrying items and opening and closing gates. They only need a little training in certain commands to which they will respond to perform a task.

Those who have physical limitations and can’t walk around much in the barn can greatly benefit from dogs that help to reduce their workload.

8.    Can Sense When Horses Are Sick or Need Help

A dog is a highly intuitive, receptive creature and can make good judgment decisions. Whenever your dog senses something is wrong with another animal, it will give you a visual indication of the problem.

Dogs are different and will react differently to certain things, but the likelihood is high, especially for certain breeds. Such as Golden Retrievers are known for their gentle nature and strong sense of smell. They can sense distress in the horse and are also useful for therapeutic purposes.

Bloodhounds also have a great sense of smell and can detect medical conditions in horses, like as infections.

Conclusion

Dogs can be a valuable asset in a horse barn for many reasons. They can provide companionship, help with herding, motivate horses to exercise, act as a distraction, and even help detect medical conditions in other animals.

Dogs in the barn can bring many benefits, whether specially trained service dogs or simply beloved pets. If you are a horse owner or caretaker, consider bringing a furry friend into your barn to see how they can help improve the well-being and productivity of your horses.